ABU DHABI // Cherry Pye Zablan-Torres takes pride in helping thousands of less-privileged Filipinos master computer skills and get better, high-paying jobs in the emirates.
“So far we’ve trained more than 33,000 Filipinos in Dubai and the Northern Emirates,” said the 43-year-old president of the Filipino Computer Club, which has provided free courses since 1996.
“A housemaid is now working as a personal assistant to a managing director, while a former petrol station attendant is a systems engineer at a reputable company.”
The club offers training in Microsoft Office, web design, graphics, multimedia, PC assembly and networking, as well as classes in English and communication.
“Our volunteer trainers are certified Microsoft Office specialists and members of Toastmasters International,” she said.
Mrs Zablan-Torres, who has lived and worked in the UAE since 1995, is a licensed electronics and communication engineer who did not have job experience in the Philippines.
“I took it upon myself to get certification courses,” she said.
“I believe learning is a continuous process. If you weren’t happy with yesterday, try something different today. Don’t stay stuck. Do better.”
She first worked as a personal assistant to the managing director of a Dubai-based firm and moved on to become an administration manager, deputy manager, training manager, and a training and communication specialist. She has been with Toastmasters – a non-profit that helps people develop public speaking and communications skills – for more than a decade and is the organisation’s ambassador for revitalised education programme.
In addition to being the president of a computer club, she has led major Filipino community events, including fund-raisers to assist needy Filipinos in the UAE and at home.
“Juggling work, community services and family is not easy,” she said. “However, knowing that, in my own little ways, I can make a difference in the lives of other people gives me a sense of joy.”
Despite her busy schedule, Mrs Zablan-Torres is a hands-on mother to son Collin Dayle, 10, a tenth grader at the Westminster School in Dubai.
“He is doing great at school and excelling in major subjects,” she said. “He’s involved in performing arts and is a household leader in church activities.”
Mrs Zablan-Torres believes she inherited her drive and devotion to education from her mother Monica.
“She was a former schoolteacher, legionary, ballroom dancer and a competent toastmaster,” said Mrs Zablan-Torres, tears welling up.
“My mum instilled in me good values of love, kindness, strong faith in God and selfless service to humanity.”
Her mother died in February at the age of 79.
“I will always remember the quote she once shared with me: ‘We don’t need tremendous strengths and extreme capabilities to be of service to others, we just need to have a heart full of grace and a soul generated by love to make a difference.
“Each one of us has great powers and we can do remarkable things.’”
While still struggling to come into terms with her mother’s death, she accepted the challenge to head the Philippine Independence Day celebrations in Dubai.
“I was a bit hesitant but Filipino community leaders and our adviser, consul Ferdie Flores, said I needed it to help me cope with my sadness,” she said.
“The event, in June, was a resounding success and the biggest so far, with nearly 10,000 Filipinos in attendance.”
rruiz@thenational.ae
The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now
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BORDERLANDS
Starring: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, Jamie Lee Curtis
Director: Eli Roth
Rating: 0/5
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If you go
The flights
There are various ways of getting to the southern Serengeti in Tanzania from the UAE. The exact route and airstrip depends on your overall trip itinerary and which camp you’re staying at.
Flydubai flies direct from Dubai to Kilimanjaro International Airport from Dh1,350 return, including taxes; this can be followed by a short flight from Kilimanjaro to the Serengeti with Coastal Aviation from about US$700 (Dh2,500) return, including taxes. Kenya Airways, Emirates and Etihad offer flights via Nairobi or Dar es Salaam.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
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UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
'Midnights'
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Prop idols
Girls full-contact rugby may be in its infancy in the Middle East, but there are already a number of role models for players to look up to.
Sophie Shams (Dubai Exiles mini, England sevens international)
An Emirati student who is blazing a trail in rugby. She first learnt the game at Dubai Exiles and captained her JESS Primary school team. After going to study geophysics at university in the UK, she scored a sensational try in a cup final at Twickenham. She has played for England sevens, and is now contracted to top Premiership club Saracens.
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Seren Gough-Walters (Sharjah Wanderers mini, Wales rugby league international)
Few players anywhere will have taken a more circuitous route to playing rugby on Sky Sports. Gough-Walters was born in Al Wasl Hospital in Dubai, raised in Sharjah, did not take up rugby seriously till she was 15, has a master’s in global governance and ethics, and once worked as an immigration officer at the British Embassy in Abu Dhabi. In the summer of 2021 she played for Wales against England in rugby league, in a match that was broadcast live on TV.
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Erin King (Dubai Hurricanes mini, Ireland sevens international)
Aged five, Australia-born King went to Dubai Hurricanes training at The Sevens with her brothers. She immediately struck up a deep affection for rugby. She returned to the city at the end of last year to play at the Dubai Rugby Sevens in the colours of Ireland in the Women’s World Series tournament on Pitch 1.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Engine: 6.2-litre supercharged V8
Power: 712hp at 6,100rpm
Torque: 881Nm at 4,800rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 19.6 l/100km
Price: Dh380,000
On sale: now
Our legal columnist
Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
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